Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers Blog

The term “vintage” means different things to many people, but for Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, it opens up an entirely different realm of choices for our customers. The way we use it, “vintage” simply means a piece of jewelry that was previously owned. Since the diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals are already millions of years old, the distinction between “new” and “used” is more easily blurred in jewelry than in any other product.

“Vintage” includes pieces ranging in age from those crafted centuries ago to those just born yesterday. Some pieces are from renowned designers such as Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, John Hardy, and Cartier, while others are one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable treasures.

Drawing on decades of experience and technical knowledge, our expert jewelers scrutinize each piece to ensure that it is authentic, made with genuine materials, and of top quality. Any pieces that do not pass their rigorous inspection are passed on to wholesalers who might find them homes in less discriminating stores.  Those pieces that are deemed worthy of our standards and yours are reconditioned to look their absolute best. Our master jewelers skillfully retouch, refinish, and refurbish them so well that you’d swear they were just made yesterday!

There is no difference in quality between our vintage and brand new jewelry—this is one of the best reasons to invest in vintage pieces! In fact, buying vintage gives you a much larger variety to choose from because you’re not limited to what manufacturers have decided to offer this season. Preowned jewelry is more distinctive than brand new pieces, and when you wear something that people find fascinating or exceptional, it draws a lot of attention!

Antique jewelry from specific time periods—such as the Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro, Edwardian, and Victorian eras—frequently boasts extraordinary attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that mass-produced items will never have. Whether they are true antiques or more recently minted treasures, a skilled maker’s workmanship and use of high quality materials create vintage pieces that will very likely continue to appreciate in value over time.

When you buy vintage jewelry, you’re not only investing in unsurpassed quality and fantastic originality; you’re getting an unbeatable value. Because our jewelers do all reconditioning in-house and we cut out the middleman mark-up, you can get more while spending less. Since our pieces have the same integrity and appearance as brand new items without the daunting price tag, it’s even easier to afford the designer and luxurious swag that you deserve. You get the same prestige at a different price!

Whether you like to splurge frequently on treats for celebratory events or a job well done, or periodically make more considered investments, buying vintage jewelry from Leo’s is a reliable, respected, eco-friendly way to make your dollars work harder to get more of what you want out of life. Let our vintage jewelry enrich your life with more style, sophistication, and a piece of history. And as always, we have a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re ever less than completely satisfied!

What is the sweetest thing anyone’s done for you in the name of love? Perhaps it was a planned romantic evening or a gift that still says “I love you” every time you look at it. The feeling you get when you think about that moment never goes away whether you were on the giving or receiving end.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, along with The Prado Restaurant, wants to give you the opportunity to create an unforgettably romantic moment for your special someone this Valentine’s Day. We’re giving away a vintage Tiffany Keys Heart key pendant by Tiffany & Co. and a $100 gift certificate to The Prado for a Valentine’s Day dinner for two!

The 18k white gold Tiffany necklace has 0.08 total carats of sparkly diamonds and includes an 18” white gold Tiffany chain. It retails for $1,825, but you’ll get it for FREE if you win the Key to Your Heart contest!

Nestled in our beloved Balboa Park in the historic House of Hospitality, gourmet dishes created by The Prado’s Executive Chef Jonathan Hale are legendary. A mouth-watering meal here requires some shrewd scheduling on Valentine’s Day, one of the busiest nights of the year. Winning our contest gets you a prized reservation for the perfect romantic evening at this acclaimed San Diego landmark.

To enter the Key to Your Heart contest, simply visit www.leohamel.com/KeyToYourHeart and tell us why your Valentine is the best Valentine in the world. It couldn’t be easier!

Imagine you and your sweetheart enjoying a pumpkin pie crème brulee or a triple chocolate “threat” (chocolate cookie crust, dark chocolate custard and ganache, with salted caramel ice cream) at a candlelit table overlooking Balboa Park. She’ll be overjoyed to be wearing her new Tiffany Keys Heart key pendant, and you’ll feel light-hearted about the light check!

Hurry, the last day to enter is Friday, February 10^th!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! How is your holiday shopping going? Whether you’re almost done or haven’t even started, we’ve got great gifts in every price range and for every person on your list. Receive free gift wrapping and enjoy a lively, Christmassy atmosphere when you shop at Leo’s too!

Can’t decide what to get that guy or gal who’s got everything? Here are a few ideas:

Mom: Treat her to a one-of-a-kind piece of vintage jewelry—perhaps an antique brooch or a diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet? Or impress her with the everyday luxury of Marco Bicego, one of our most popular designers.

Dad: He’ll definitely love one of the stylishly functional pocketknives, money clips, or divot tools from William Henry Studio. They’re extremely well made and handsome as well!

Husband: What guy wouldn’t smile from ear to ear upon receiving the watch of his dreams on Christmas morning? Choose from one of our new Tissot or Ball watches or from our huge collection of preowned Rolex, Tag Heuer, and IWC pieces.

Wife: It’s all about diamonds for the lady you love! You can’t go wrong with a Christmas classic like diamond studs or hoops, and we’ve got tons of options in our showroom. Or, make this holiday unforgettable by trading in her engagement ring diamond for an even more spectacular one from Leo’s. Go all out by upgrading her entire ring to a gorgeous Hearts On Fire® stunner!

Daughter: Surprise your little girl with a vintage piece of Tiffany & Co. jewelry—it’s a name she’ll love at a price you won’t regret! Another trendy and heartfelt gift idea is a “love” pendant, ring, or bracelet from the hip designs of Sydney Evan Jewels.

Secret Santa: Don’t know what to get for the person whose name you pulled from the hat at work, in book club, or with your happy hour gang? Everyone loves a Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers gift card!

There are only a few days left until Christmas morning, so don’t waste any time! Come into our showroom any day of the week to begin your shopping experience. We’re open for extended holiday hours, so shop from 10am-7pm Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday, and noon-5pm on Sunday.

Merry Christmas and we hope to see you soon!

Gemstones have been used for personal adornment by most cultures the world over going back for centuries. Gems were sometimes also used as currency or even tools, and are used today in various industrial applications, as well as set in jewelry. Diamonds, for instance, are made into in drills and saws that are used for cutting glass, granite, marble, and other hard materials (only about ¼ of all diamonds that are mined are used in fine jewelry).

One of the most amazing aspects of gems lies in their vast diversity. There are hundreds of varieties of gemstones, both natural and manmade, and each possesses different properties of size, shape, luster, and hardness. Probably the most apparent—and sometimes most important—is the color. Let’s learn just how gemstones derive their many colors.

Understanding Light

In order to understand the way gemstones display their many magnificent colors we must first appreciate certain aspects of the light that brings them to life.

Light is actually electromagnetic radiation that vibrates at certain wavelengths. However, the human eye can only perceive wavelengths between 380 and 750 nanometers. This is the range of the visible color spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, as well as all the colors in between.

If all of the many wavelengths of light passed through a gemstone, it would appear colorless to us. If the gemstone actually absorbed all of that light, it would appear completely black. If a stone absorbs all the wavelengths except those in, say, the blue spectrum, the gem will appear blue.

Absorbing Light

There are numerous reasons as to why a gemstone might absorb light differently. In some cases gemstones are idiochromatic, or self-colored, which means they absorb certain wavelengths of light based on physical characteristics and/or chemical structure. Peridot, for instance, contains iron, which causes it to appear only in shades of green.

However, idiochromatic stones are rare. Most gemstones are colored by various impurities or trace elements in their physical structure. These gemstones are allochromatic.

As an example, let’s take corundum. Pure corundum is actually colorless. However, when a corundum stone contains traces of chromium, it will appear red. Traces of titanium make the stone show blue. In the professional world of gems and jewelry, the former is known as the ruby, while the latter is known as the sapphire.

Trace Elements

Some common trace elements found in gemstones include:

• Beryllium (emerald)
• Copper (malachite, turquoise, paraiba tourmaline)
• Iron (aquamarine, chrysoberl, citrine, green tourmaline, jade, yellow sapphire)
• Lithium (green tourmaline, pink tourmaline)
• Manganese (kunzite, morganite, pink tourmaline, spessartite garnet)
• Titanium (sapphire)
• Vanadium (alexandrite, emerald, color-changing sapphire)

One thing you should notice is that color and chemical impurity are not so easily related. As you can see, both beryllium and vanadium create the green of an emerald. Other times, a single trace element, like iron, is responsible for different colors in different gem varieties.

Gemstone Enhancements

What we do with gemstones after they are pulled from the ground also affects their amazing color and striking appearance. Gemstones are relatively unattractive when initially mined. The beauty is there; it just requires the attentions of a skilled gemstone cutter to release it.  Cutting, carving, and polishing allow light to pass through, bringing out the vibrant color and brilliance of the gemstone.

Most colored gemstones on the market today are treated in some fashion to enhance their color or clarity.  Most of these treatments are permanent and do not damage the gem, and sometimes even make it more durable.  Heat treatments are commonly used to change the chemical structure of an impurity, thus deepening or lightening the gem’s color. Heat can reduce certain less desireable hues, such as the green tones in aquamarine, or improve overall clarity.

Color and Value

The most precious and pricey gemstones are the deepest and richest in color. Emeralds, for instance, are created in many different hues of green, but the most esteemed shade is an intense bluish-green. Sapphires appear in almost every color of the rainbow including pink, green, yellow, violet, and even clear, but the richest blue can be the most treasured color.  However, there are no red sapphires, because a “red sapphire” is called a ruby!

Gemstones of all hues, tones, and saturations of color both light and dark can be enchanting, especially if the gemstone boasts a lively cut.  Ultimately the “best” color for any gemstone is the shade that most pleases the beholder!  Whether in pale ghostly tones or dark drenched hues, gemstones exhibit a splendor and allure that is all their own.

You have found the love of your life. Bending down on one knee, you ask the biggest, most important question in your life, holding out what you hope is the perfect engagement ring. She says yes! You are elated!

There’s no denying the significance of engagement rings for couples about to become husband and wife. This ring represents love, commitment, hope, treasured memories past, and priceless memories to come.

For many men or couples, buying an engagement ring may be the first experience in purchasing a piece of fine jewelry, which can leave everyone a little flustered, confused, and worried. This should be a time for happiness and celebration, not furrowed brows. Here are a few worry-relieving tips on how to shop for the perfect engagement ring.

Setting a Budget for an Engagement Ring

It’s helpful to have an idea of what you want to spend before you go shopping. The average amount spent on an engagement ring these days is $3,000 to $4,000. Five percent of grooms spend more than $10,000. You may have saved up for this important purchase, but you can also investigate financing options, including personal credit cards, lines of credit, and interest-free financing to make it easier on your cash flow.

Don’t let budget alone determine what you are going to buy. If you are going for the traditional diamond ring, remember that diamonds are forever—time does not break them down. Historically, diamonds have doubled in value every 10 years, so it’s been a pretty good investment. Consider the emotional value of this (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime purchase and choose something that you both will be proud of and love for years to come.

Some people value size over quality, and some folks go for the best quality they can afford even if it means sacrificing size. If the diamond of her dreams is not in your budget right now, remember that here at Leo’s you can trade in your diamond at full value for a larger one down the road.

Another great option is to consider buying a vintage engagement ring. It’s eco-friendly and you can find a truly unique ring with a very favorable price tag. No one will know you didn’t buy it new!

Where to Buy the Engagement Ring

A jewelry store like Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers that has a good reputation and has been in business for many years is the most reliable option. Here you can choose from new designer rings and unique vintage rings, or elect to have a ring custom-made by our master jewelers. We also offer interest-free financing, which can make this significant purchase easier to manage.

Our expert sales associates will work with you to make sure that the engagement ring you select is the one that will thrill your fiancée. Later we’ll help you both to choose the perfect complimentary wedding rings to complete the set. And our 30-day money-back guarantee means that if she had her heart set on an emerald-cut diamond and you bought a round one, you can bring it back and exchange it for the one she really wanted!

Shopping for Quality and Value in Diamonds

Quality and value are two things you should consider when shopping for a diamond engagement ring, and they are largely determined by four criteria called “the 4 Cs”:

• Clarity: Clarity can significantly affect the beauty of a diamond, but the higher the clarity, the higher the price per carat. Diamond clarity is graded on this rating system:

-          Flawless – No imperfections when viewed with 10x magnification

-          VVS – Very, very slightly included (inclusions are very slight imperfections within the diamond)

-          VS – Very slightly included

-          SI – Slightly included

-          I – Imperfect

So do you have to buy a flawless diamond? Absolutely not! Generally, imperfections in diamonds graded VS and above cannot be seen with the naked eye. Even most SI graded diamonds do not have eye-visible imperfections and can be dazzling with a good cut. Some people do value size over quality and will buy an I graded diamond that is larger and costs less per carat to get the size of diamond that they desire.

• Color: A diamond’s color is the general body color when viewed from the side (not the bright flashes of color that come from the top). The less body color, the higher the cost per carat (except for fancy colors). Diamonds range in color from D to Z, starting with D—colorless or pure white—through increasing amounts of yellow, all the way to Z— a dark, fancy yellow color. It isn’t necessary to buy a D color diamond! Body color is usually not noticeable in diamonds ranging all the way down to G-H-I colors, especially with a well-cut diamond.  Even lower colors can “face up white” particularly if set in yellow gold.

• Cut: Cut refers to how well the diamond is faceted, and of the 4 Cs it is the single largest influence on a diamond’s beauty. The modern round brilliant cut was mathematically determined to produce the most brilliance and scintillation in a diamond (see the actual formula development here http://www.folds.net/diamond_design/).

The “ideal cut” diamond is cut to those ideal proportions within a range. However, not all ideal cut diamonds are equal! To see “The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond,” come in and ask about Hearts On Fire diamonds, which are cut using 100 power magnification instead of the industry standard of 10 power. Only 1/10 of 1% of all diamonds is cut to Hearts On Fire standards, and the difference is noticeable, even from across a room.

• Carat weight: Diamonds are measured by weight, not by size. Carat weight is designated by points, with 100 points in a carat (notated 1.00 carat), so a 50-point diamond is half a carat (notated 0.50 carat). Generally, the heavier the diamond, the larger it appears, although an excellent cut will make a small diamond appear bigger because the maximum amount of light is being refracted. Shallowly cut diamonds will also appear larger than their carat weight but will lack the brilliance of a well cut stone.

Diamonds are priced per carat, so the more carats in weight, the higher the price. Larger diamonds are also rarer, so they will cost more per carat than smaller diamonds just based on size alone. 250,000 tons of earth will be moved and one million diamonds will be mined for every 1.00 carat diamond that is discovered! Five million diamonds will be mined for every 2.00 carat stone that is uncovered! Those are ample reasons that diamonds of a carat or more are so prized.

So when you are ready to shop for one of the most important purchases of your life, come to Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers and deal with experts who can show you everything you need to know about diamonds in order to make the perfect choice. Check into our financing options. And don’t forget, our 30-day money-back guarantee takes all the worry out of buying your engagement ring so there’s no such thing as making a mistake!

October is a special month. The weather starts getting a bit cooler here in San Diego, many of us start planning out creative costumes for Halloween, and the holidays begin to take a prominent position in most of our minds.

While all of these are causes to celebrate, the biggest reason to get excited is that it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! And with the help of PANDORA, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is commemorating this occasion in style.

First off, we’re offering a free travel jewelry case in pretty pink leather (a $40 value) when you spend $125 on memorable PANDORA jewelry throughout the month of October. Come in and build a bracelet, and we’ll give you this special box to keep your new accessory safe while you’re on the road!

In support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, PANDORA has created a special collection of commemorative jewelry, including the official pink ribbon charm in 14k gold and sterling silver. From February 1, 2011 through January 31, 2013, 5% of the retail price of these charms will go towards PANDORA’s minimum pledged donation of $1 million to Komen for the Cure. With your help, we can raise enough money to kick breast cancer to the curb for good!

Visit our store today to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month through your purchase of this unique jewelry, and sign up to walk with Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers employees in the Komen Race for the Cure ® 5k run/walk in Balboa Park on November 6^th! (Details to follow.)

Today we are celebrating a huge success at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers: we have been inducted into the Hearts On Fire® Hall of Fame! Every year we send a handful of our top people to the Hearts On Fire® University conference in Las Vegas in order to ensure that our sales associates are the most knowledgeable purveyors of these fine diamonds anywhere.

Glenn Rothman, CEO of Hearts On Fire®, summarized the purpose and spirit behind the event: “The reason for our success is our whole-hearted commitment to offering the most comprehensive training program in the industry and an experience that empowers retailers to share ideas, discover new strategies for success, and immerse themselves in the Hearts On Fire lifestyle—where perfection is the norm.”

Every year our sales associates come back with a refreshed outlook, but this year we are all especially rejuvenated since at this conference we were honored as the newest members of the Hearts On Fire® Hall of Fame.  This distinction is given to retailers that have demonstrated passion and commitment to the Hearts On Fire® brand for five or more years and achieved an exceptional performance level in their markets. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers has been a top Hearts On Fire® retailer since we took on the brand in 1998, just 2 years after it was created, and have been named Retailer of the Year twice since then!

We are also pleased to announce that three of our sales associates, Teri Ramirez, Lisa Hamel, and Logan Eaquinta were all named Hearts On Fire® Champions of the Year. These three remarkable women earned this recognition of excellence by exuding energy, enthusiasm, and passion for this premium diamond brand, and conveying this passion to their customers. In fact, Teri is one of the three top Hearts On Fire® salespeople in the WORLD!

We are so proud of Teri, Lisa, and Logan, and our entire Leo Hamel Team for achieving this high honor!

At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we have lots of treasures that could be considered “the perfect gift.” Every woman loves to receive a precious gift that was picked out especially for her—whether it’s a glittering ruby ring for her birthday, a pair of diamond studs to say Happy Valentine’s Day, a gold watch to celebrate an anniversary, or a vintage Tiffany & Co. necklace “just because.”

When buying a gift that is as personal as jewelry, the hardest part can be picking out something that you can be sure the recipient will love. Luckily, Pandora makes this easy! They’ve taken the traditional charm bracelet to the next level with their clever, cute, and customizable chains, charms, and clasps.

There are artistic colored Murano glass beads or abstract shapes in precious metals with lovely detailing, and over 600 charms that represent special moments in a person’s life. Each charm you select can tell a little story about a big moment in the life of the wearer, such as a pink ribbon breast cancer charm, a tiny royal Cinderella carriage, a “Queen bee” or adorable turtle, a suitcase or tiny Buddha, birthstone and zodiac charms and milestone birthday dangles. You can even customize the bracelet that holds the charms, with choices that include silver, gold, leather, and braidable cords in a rainbow of colors.

Gifting a personalized charm bracelet or necklace shows a special appreciation for the recipient, and you and your loved one can continue to add more charms to it until it’s full! Whether you’re planning to surprise someone with a thoughtful present or treat yourself to a well deserved reward, you won’t find a more complete collection of Pandora bracelets, charms, necklaces, rings, and earrings to choose from than at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. We have San Diego’s largest Pandora selection!

To make it even sweeter, from September 8^th until September 18^th you can get a FREE silver clasp bracelet ($65 value) with any $75 Pandora purchase. Hurry in while supplies last!

Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we love to advertise that Hearts On Fire® produces “the world’s most perfectly cut diamonds.” And that’s because they do! We carry a plethora of stunning engagement rings and wedding or anniversary bands, each endowed with its own unique pattern of blindingly sparkly stones—enough to make any girl twitch with anticipation until the day her special someone slips it on her finger. But diamonds are not just a girl’s best friend anymore.

Introducing  a new line of rings from Hearts On Fire®: the Commanding collection of men’s wedding bands. Each is made from titanium—some are accented with silver—and features anywhere from one to seven diamonds of the perfect size. These powerful rings capture the essence of the man who has a polished style, but still appreciates some masculine bling.

Whether you’re a bride-to-be or a future groom, the Commanding rings are striking from anyone’s perspective. The titanium ranges in color from smooth silver to smoky gray, and distinctive elements such as grid detailing, a cable or hammered inlay, and multi-groove bevels make each ring distinctive. Unique in design and unmatchable in quality, the Commanding bands start at $495.

These handsome pieces are a perfect addition to our exceptional collection of dazzling jewelry by Hearts On Fire. Now, after he picks out the perfect ring for her, she can come back to Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers to choose one for him from the same renowned deisgner and the same friendly, knowledgeable salespeople.

Come visit our showroom near Old Town to discover the endless possibilities available when you choose wedding bands made by Hearts On Fire®.

You voted and the Union-Tribune listened! Thank you to every single one of you who voted for us as your favorite place to shop for jewelry.  San Diego’s Best Reader’s Poll 2011 winners have finally been announced and what a honor—we were voted Best Jewelry Store! The results of this influential poll, which is in its 15^th year running, truly reflect which businesses in San Diego shine above the rest, and we are proud to say that we’ve been one of them for three years now. Two years ago we snagged 2^nd place, last year we made it to 1^st, and this year we’ve taken the grand prize again, undoubtedly a consequence of having San Diego’s most furiously loyal customers and voters. Everyone at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers would like to extend our warmest gratitude for launching us to the #1 spot again! You guys are the best!